With Silveira remaining in his position, Alcolumbre is now pushing for changes in the second tier of the ministry.

247 - After President Lula (PT) reacted to pressure from Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) and stated, in an interview with Minas Gerais radio stations, that there is no reason to remove Alexandre Silveira (PSD) from the leadership of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Senate president put his plan B into action, according to Malu Gaspar, from the newspaper. The Globe.

The senator is putting forward two alternative demands. The first is to place Victor Saback, the current Secretary of Geology, Mining and Mineral Transformation, in the executive secretariat of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), replacing Arthur Valério, who is leaving. The second is to appoint a new president for Pré-Sal Petróleo (PPSA), a company linked to the ministry, currently under the interim leadership of Tabita Loureiro.

PPSA manages pre-salt production contracts and collects royalties from oil and natural gas exploration for the Federal Government, which are then passed on to states, municipalities, and the Federal District. This year alone, it is projected that US$5,8 billion (R$33,4 billion at the current exchange rate) will be collected, with a projected growth to US$7,6 billion (R$43,8 billion) by 2026.

Part of these resources is destined for the Pre-Salt Social Fund, coveted by businessman Carlos Suarez, known as the "gas king." Suarez seeks financing for the construction of gas pipelines to enable his network of gas distributors in several states. Behind the scenes, Alcolumbre was orchestrating Silveira's replacement to favor the businessman's interests.

Suarez is also against the acquisition of Eletrobras' thermal power plants in the Amazon by Âmbar Energia, owned by brothers Joesley and Wesley Batista, and is trying to block the operation in court through the state-owned company Cigás, which he controls.

Despite the pressure, Lula assured that Silveira will remain in office, describing him as an "exceptional minister." "He will remain minister; there's no reason to interfere with something that is revolutionizing the Brazilian energy sector and the mining sector of this country," the president declared.

Lula's decision represents a significant defeat for Alcolumbre, who had been working to expand his influence in the government. From the beginning of discussions about a cabinet reshuffle, the Senate president sought support to pressure the Presidential Palace to replace Silveira. However, Lula always resisted the idea, and, faced with the insistence, even considered including the minister within his personal quota, guaranteeing his permanence in the government regardless of the PSD's position.

Behind the scenes, one of the names considered to take over the Ministry of Mines and Energy was that of former Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). However, Pacheco, who is considering running for governor of Minas Gerais in 2026, rejected the idea, believing that taking on the role would imply unnecessary strain and make him a direct opponent of Silveira.

The relationship between Alcolumbre, Pacheco, and Silveira deteriorated throughout the government. At the beginning of the administration, the three were allies and supported Silveira's appointment, but a crisis ensued when they realized that the minister would not completely yield to the demands of the Senate and his business allies. The result was a political clash that culminated in Alcolumbre's failed attempt to oust him.

Now, with Silveira strengthened in his position and Lula sending a clear message about his continued tenure, Alcolumbre is seeking to reposition his strategy, attempting to influence appointments in the second tier of the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Senate president's move may indicate an attempt to maintain his relevance in political maneuvering and to avoid a complete defeat in the contest.